November 09, 2016

on: November 09, 2016

Gospel: Jn 2:13-22
As the Passover of the Jews was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple court he found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple court, together with the oxen and sheep. He knocked over the tables of the money-changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people selling doves, “Take all this away, and stop making a marketplace of my Father’s house!”
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your house devours me like fire.
The Jews then questioned Jesus, “Where are the miraculous signs which give you the right to do this?” And Jesus said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then replied, “The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?”
Actually, Jesus was referring to the temple of his body. Only when he had risen from the dead did his disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

REFLECTION:
It seems that, as more and more countries experience economic development, more and more of their citizens become desk-bound in offices, laboratories and boardrooms. And, since they can now afford to buy all the delicious food they want, overweight or even obesity becomes a problem for many of them.
At this point, one could ask: “What on earth is the connection between obesity and the Christian life?” A good question, for the answer is not immediately apparent. Yet, upon reflection, it is not hard to see that excess weight usually causes high blood pressure, diabetes, shortness of breath, joint pains, and a host of other bad effects. It also shortens one’s life significantly. Because of these unhealthy consequences of being overweight, Christians should perhaps be reminded that they are God’s temple, as today’s second reading tells them, and that they have a duty to see to it that God’s temple does not fall in disrepair because of their neglect to keep themselves healthy.
But this applies to all of us. If we really believe that our bodies are God’s temple, we will take good care of them with healthy food, exercise, sufficient sleep, rest and recreation.